2018.6.24. Silver Star - Ed's Trail

6/24, Sunday, a dozen of us met at Gateway at 3pm. Someone was still on his way when the first 3 cars took off. I had to pile into the backseat of a Toyota Tahoma, not very comfortable, but was grateful to the ride. The last 2 miles to Ed's Trail TH is terrible, worse than I remembered. Our driver enjoyed this bumpy road. Saw people hiking out on this road.

We didn't start hiking until about 5:30pm. Quite hot. 90°F in Portland today. I carried my umbrella. Ian, a transplant from Florida, only carried his white camera, no water. Amazing that he survived the heat. Flowers were everywhere. Beargrass was doing well. Some irises. All along we could see St Helens, Adams, and barely Rainier. Too hazy today. We did a skinny loop, up on the east to get a tiny bit of shade, and back out on the road. Saw a goat near the arch and some avalanche lily there. I scrambled up a plateau near the turn around point. Nice, but other than 1 small spot, it's not flat enough to put tents down. The ground is rocks, so not smooth.

After 7:30pm, light got softer, temperature dropped, the moon was out: 3 days till full moon. Pretty soon, it is apparent that we were not going to have a proper sunset. Clouds were too thick. The group gathered around and agreed to leave. We were pretty much the only people there. It's nice to have this beautiful place to ourselves. Easier to see Hood in the evening sun, than in the hazy heat. It's also good to drive out of the ditches in the remaining day light.

We got back to Portland ~10:30pm, and Ian and I got a lift home.

2018.6.23 Grizzly Peak from Pamelia Lake

6/23, Saturday. 9 women + 2 dogs met at 7am in Tualatin P&R, piled in 2 cars headed to Pamelia Lake restricted entrance area to hike Grizzly Peak. Only 3 group permits per day (more permits for small parties). One car chattes too much and missed the I-5 exist. By the time we started on the trail, it was already 9:50. A ranger and 3 of his co-workers (friends) sat at the picnic table next to the trailhead. He checked our permit, and gave a long speech about the 12-person limit that's granted by our permit. He emphasized 12 for countless times.

There were at least 30 cars. I saw a family at a picnic table, but where were the rest who came in these cars? The lake is 2 flat miles from the parking lot. Thanks to the limited entry, we didn't see the many people, less than 10. Can see Pamelia Creek from time to time. The trees are good size. The camp sitea here have no view of the lake. I saw only one tent. The lake is quite nice. You have to scoop to the right on the logs to see Jefferson. The logs are big to walk on, but no place to relax for this view. We had a long break here looking at the lake.

Trail branches before the lake. Right to Grizzly Peak, left to Hanks Lake and maybe PCT. We headed up. The slope is gentle. About 3 miles to the top. All along, view is limited. At a few openings, Jefferson is right in your face. At one point, you can see the lake below: looks marshy from this angle. Rhododendrons were starting to bloom in lower elevations. A few pink flowers here and there. Would be nice to come back here in 2 weeks for that. The top is flat, not large. Seems to have had some lookout before. Again, the view is somewhat limited. You can see south to Mt Washington and Three Fingered Jack. Had lunch, before heading back. Reached the car ~3:40pm.

Total about 11 miles, 2600'. I got a ride to and from home for this hike. Nice.

2018.6.22. Volunteer at Portland International Beerfest

6/22. I signed up the Friday 6:46-9:45pm shift about a month ago, and received a confirmation stating that 2 weeks before the event, I'd receive detailed volunteer info. I received no communication after that. So, on Wednesday I shot them an email. Someone responded by asking my full name so he could look me up, but then no more response. This morning, I sent another request, and I was told to show up at the North Park Block and ask for the volunteer booth.

It took me a while to find the volunteer booth. Lots of people. Very lively. At the edge of the 2 blocks are long tables of beer. Along Park Ave are drafts came in cookers, along 8th Ave are bottles/cans in ice buckets. The middle of the lawn is other vendors: foods, nitrogen fixed ice cream, marijuana booths, and a gambling place (I didn't look carefully what it is). Plastic tables and chairs. It's interesting to see this homeless hangout transformed to a party scene.

Deschutes Brewery and Hopworks Urban Brewery have the most interesting and distinctive vending vessels: a barrel and a bike.

A long line at the volunteer booth, so much so, that someone asked me what this line was for. After one batch of volunteers checked in, they were given a talk (too noisy for me to hear, even though I was just next to them). Before I got to the cehck-in table, the last ~10 of us were told that they don't need us any more. Since not all registered volunteers show up (no wonder if you don't communicate with them), they always overbook. We checked off our names on the list, and were given 5 drinking tickets and a small plastic cup. Fine with me. 5 tickets don't last long. The most expensive beer here costs 7 tickets. Most of them require 2-3 tickets for a 3 oz pour. No free sampling. There're also a couple of places that offer a full glass. I tried these 2 from the same enthusiastic volunteer: Pinkus Organic Munster Alt from Germany (was okay) and Green's Green's Enterprise Dry-Hopped Lager from Belgium (gluten free, suggested by the girl, which I like better). With only 1 ticket left, my option is very limited. I finally settled on Viva la Pineapple Cider. Boy, very pineapple. I like it.

Around 8, I went back to work.

2018.6.18. Lookout Mountain - Gumjuwac Creek loop

6/17, Sunday. 10 of us (in 2 cars) did this long loop of about 16 miles, 3600' gain - most of which is at the end, which is taxing. I don't recommend this loop. The High Prairie trailhead, however, is lovely. At almost 6000', a bit chilly. The meadows next to the trailhead was filled with shooting stars. This is the best shooting star display I've ever seen. You can also see a bit of Mt. St Helens here. So I recommend coming up via Hwy-35 (to have your workout, and an easier and shorter driving - see my last trip to Lookout Mt), make the detour of 2.9 miles for the loop to High Prairie.

The first ~1 mile of this hike is gentle going up, to this pointed rock, and then leveled along a rocky cliff with excellent views, until Lookout Mt summit (~6525'), where you can see Hood, St. Helens, Rainier, and Adams. Jefferson is a bit faint. All is glorious.

From Lookout Mt, we took the Lookout Mt Trail east, slowly loosing elevation to Oval Lake (not worth the 1/4 mile detour to the lake -- going down, and it's shallow and ugly). The trail is more or less along a ridge. View is not bad for the first mile before going into the woods. Still had snow left. 20 minutes past Oval Lake, we slowly regain the ridge, and view. Saw big patches of Jacob's Ladder (and some white ones), Wild Candytuft (Noccaea fendleri), Paleyellow Ragwort. Then we hit a road. Walk in-and-out on the rocky road to the Flag Point Lookout tower (the tower is in the middle right, furthest in the photo). It was closed. But the compost bathroom was open: clean and spacious. Had lunch next to the tower. I sat under the tower, great view, but windy. The rest of the group sat in the trees without wind or view. Some Oregon anemone here.

After the lookout tower, we headed down to Badger Creek, and back up along Gumjuwac Creek. This part is unpleasant: mud patches, very overgrown (Badger Creek wilderness). Met no human. Found 3 large king boletes in the same spot, all in good shape: strange. Woodland flowers. Large ponderosa pines. Saw rusted vine maple leaves and tainted lupine leaves. Orange honeysuckle! We reached out lowest elevation at ~3000' after about 8 miles, when we turned on Badger Creek trail, which is mostly flat. Then, we turned right onto Gumjuwac Creek trail, gaining the elevation back.

As we approach Gumjuwac Saddle (~5200'), started to emerge in and out of forest. View got better, and it's dryer. Saw mariposa lily, gilia, blooming balsamroot. Back to the junction of High Prairie trail, and hike down back to car. We are back at the trailhead at 6pm. Then, I got a ride home.

2018.6.16. Saddle Mountain

6/16, Saturday. Saddle Mountain is one of my favorite flower destination in June. A better description is at OregonHikers.org. 5 miles RT, ~1900' EG. I went this time with Native Plant Society of Oregon, led by Rick Shory. 9 of us in 2 cars met at Sunset TC at 9:30am - a nice late start. However, we are too slow in getting started. By the time we started hiking, it was almost noon. I may be the youngest in this group. The oldest is Anne from Scotland, who's super fit at age 79.

Good timing. Flowers were peaking. Rosy Plectritis and Oregon Iris won the show of color today on the slopes, cow parsnip along the road. May still be good for a week or two. One new flower: Bronze Bell or Mountainbell (Stenanthium occidentale) - not many. One new lichen: matchstick (Pilophorus acicularis), Idaho Blue-eyed grass, Lewisia columbiana (with deeper color). Many were refreshed: Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), ate the seeds of Sweet Cicely.

We were moving at the tortoise' speed, and made several long snack/lunch breaks. One stop is at this ledge that offers great view. Here, on the way back, 2 rows of red roses lined up in preparation of a marriage proposal. From here on, flowers were everywhere, and trail became loose rocks on trail. This is the only trail I know that has metal net on the trail to help with the traction. 2 wooden stairs were installed. You need to drop down to the saddle before final push.

On a clear day, you ought to be able to see 5 snowy peaks. Not today. But the 360° view is still very nice, especially that I can see Columbia River and its entrance to the ocean.

After another long break at the picnic table on the top, we slowly descent back to the car ~7pm. I actually slipped twice, within a minute of each other. Quite a few people camped at the campground by the trailhead. The bathroom ran out of water and toilet paper.

2018.6.8-10 Wilderness Stewardship training at Mt Adams Institute

5/8, Friday. I have a car reserved at 1pm, because the training schedule dictates that the registration was open until 3pm. I warned the outreach intern Erica about arriving late, but no later than 5pm. When I called Hertz at 12:53, I was told that they were short of cars, and were trying to move cars around. I asked if it's easier for me to go to a different location. Answer is no, and someone will call me when my car is ready. Since I have a lot to do at work, this sounds good. At 1:55, still no news. I decided to head over, and called Hertz again on my way. Was told to wait. So I walked instead of catching a bus. When I arrived at the rental office inside Crown Plaza (I chose it because of after hour return and close to train station), it was shut, with a piece of paper saying that the agent was refueling the car and would be back soon. Not sure what to trust, I called Hertz again. The other end was looking for something but couldn't get me any definitely answer. At 2:50pm, a lady came lugging a vacuum cleaner. She settled into her desk, non apologetically with stern face did my paperwork. Finally at 3:05, I got into the car. Maybe I shall finally buy a car to avoid the hassle and uncertainty.

Some traffic getting out of Portland, which is normal. I arrived at MAI at 4:50, just behind the ranger station in Trout Lake. Saw 2 groups under large stretched tarps. Inquired at the first. An employee led me to the 2nd, who was discussing wilderness' meaning and our roles, around a large but dead fire ring. I'm glad that I didn't arrive in time at 3pm. I found these discussion largely a waste of time, despite of good intentions. At 5:30, this discussion slowly drew to an end. I went with Erica to register, filled out a form with name, address, phone, emergency contact, which I have already supplied when I filled out the application 2 months ago. I also signed up a cleaning chore for tomorrow's breakfast. I was given a large plastic bag with a few swags: 2 cup cozies, a t-shirt, a large tent stake that can be used as a hand shovel, a NW Forest pass. Quite a few people I saw at the discussion were also late, and they checked in after me.

Lodging is free during the training. If staying Sunday, it's $15. I walked to the 2nd lady's dorm, passing a few tents. Only 1 men's dorm. (Yes, more women participants). There are 6 rooms, half empty. I settled into one empty room. 2 beds at an unreasonable height, with shelfings above. Mattress is cover with a dark green vinyl (plastic) wrap. A wardrobe with no hangers. 2 hanging rods, one of which is about to come out of the wall. A desk. No chairs. Quite big for a dorm room. No outlet in the room, but in the bathroom. Bathroom is also spacious. 4 sinks (one missing faucet handles), 3 toilets, 3 shower stalls, 2 washing machine, both labled not working. Other than 22 dead flies in the bathroom, 5 from my room, all is reasonablly clean. Ugly painting. Green clock, red cabinet, 2 white 1 blue shower curtains, beige wall, blue countertop.

Dinner at 6. When I arrived, 3/4 of people were already eating. But first I inquired about the "sheet provided" in the 4 page long "2018 participant registration information". Was told that the plastic wrap is replacing the sheet. Erica was kind enough to fetch me one. Tonight we were served brown rice (soggy, but I like it), chicken (dry), cauliflower stir fry (very good, I had a second serving), salad greens, cucumber. I skipped the chocolate cake. Coffee and tea. The meal of this event is included in my $50 registration fee. I happened to be sitting next to a lady from Eugene. She was here 2 years ago. We chatted about Linden Meadow, one of my favorite places in Oregon. Rained.

After dinner, I drove to Guler Ice Cave. The picnic area is large and looks like a campground, but day use only. I followed the trail, and immediately saw 3 cave openings. All looked filled. Continued on the trail and soon it bifurcates, but both got so overgrown that I backed out. Got down the 3rd opening, which you can see the other side, probably the 2nd opening. It has a lot of trilliums blooming at the entrance. Inside looks dry. Went down the first opening, saw 2 pieces of ice. Maybe I shall continue, but it is narrow, and I don't want to crawl at this late hour, when I'm the only sole here, apart from a deer.

Back to the mess hall, and refilled my cup of tea. Retired to my dorm with a 600 page of hard cover. I'm not even 1/10 through, and it's due in 2 weeks.

6/9, Saturday. 7-8am breakfast. But from 6:30, noise of other occupants woke me up. Impossible to sleep more. Breakfast is hashed potatoes, scrambled eggs (with/wo cheese), sausage (which I didn't try). Pack lunch, decent sandwich bread, deli ham/turkey/cheese, Adams peanut butter and some jelly, which I didn't like any. I just took some leftover salad from last night, red pepper and carrots, a desert piece from dinner, which turned out to be very good. Browny with coconut cream top.

I signed up for the "primitive skills" module. Totally unlike what I thought, today is about putting up signs in Wilderness. Despite of my disappointment, I like the class for what it is. 6 students, 2 instructors (Richard + Maddie) who are volunteers in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Classroom session for the first hour or so. Then we drove to the site, carried tools in for less than a mile of flat trail. We learned to choose a down log, saw it to proper length for 2 sign posts. Cut the slots where the signs can go in, using saw and chisel and mallet. We used some fancy screws (needed special drill bits) for the wilderness boundary sign, because people steal them. Normal screws for trail signs. Dug two 2-feet holes with the post hole digger. Put some small rocks in the bottom for drainage. Installed the posts, piled rocks around, pack down, and repeat. Since there is no real need for a sign here (let alone Three Sisters'), all this is for training, and we had to take the signs off, pulled the posts out, refilled the holes.

All day long, we had sun, rain and hail. I was cold. Back at MAI at 3:30pm. Since I accidentally locked my room this morning, I stayed in the mess hall which is warmer. 4pm, briefing, filling the class survey. Once my door was opened, I walked to Trout Lake, about 1km north. Nice daisy on the way there in someone's fields. It's not really a lake, but a marsh with creek running through. Thick vegetation. The lake trail starts at the end of a gravel road (slightly better view of water on this road), but doesn't have much view of the marsh, as it's on a hill with trees between you and the marsh. I walked till the boundary of an RV park (just the sign, didn't see any RV). The short flat trail has several benches, 1 picnic table. Not worth coming, unless you are stuck in the town with limited time, like I was. On the way out, Mt Adams appeared behind the clouds.

6-7pm dinner. I got back around 6:20. Spaghetti with veggie or meat sauce. House baked bread. Green salad. All pretty good. Desert is chocolate banana bread, also very good. I sat next to a girl who did "introduction to wilderness" module, when they talked about how to throw bear bags - seems more relative to "primitive skills". I ate too much. Helped to sweep the mess hall to burn off a couple of calories.

7:15pm presentation. Same content as last night, by a invited guest. Even though she's a good speaker, this is not acceptable. They should have communicated what they would present ahead of time, so not to waste our time. Colder than yesterday, well, it was 2 hours later. At least today, we had a fire going. It sprinkled a bit. Luckily not much water was dumped when we were outside without a cover. I'm surprised that others participated the discussion of "wilderness" happily, throwing lofty words like serenity, legacy. It's great for people with zero knowledge of the Wilderness Act, but this crowd is specialized in working with wilderness areas. I find these talks well meaning but produces 0 actionable ideas. Most participants are forest service employees. Very few are like me who is a full time employed civilian, taking the weekend off from my busy schedule. Maybe I'm the only one. In my class today, only Rosemary and I are not USFS employees. She's a 75 year old grandma. Retired. Super fit. Both teachers are forest service volunteers, wearing USFS uniforms and driving government vehicles.

I ate too much, need to walk off some calories. But at 8pm, there's not much to do. There isn't even a map of the area here in the mess hall. Maybe one in the office?

6/10, Sunday. Same schedule. I packed everything before breakfast. Only oatmeal and cereal today. A disappointment.

Today's class is working with pack animals. This time with rescued wild mustangs. Rosemary asked to be transferred to a different class. An MAI employee drove the 5 of us to Mt Adams Horse camp. There, Kate and her 4 mustangs were waiting. The horse camp here is very spacious. Large meadows, strung high lines, mountain bluebirds.

Kate Beardsley, our instructor, is the founder of the non-profile MustangsToTheRescue. She's super passionate about the well being of these horses. She supplies her horse to help trail work, locate lost people in rescue missions, and educate the public. We learned a lot from her other than safety and packing, selecting a campsite, tie ropes for horse: using non-weed feed and how people cheat, BLM's ill managed roundup of wild horses, ranchers taking advantage of it. She should put some of her stories on her website. We got to lead the horses on a couple of short walks, feed them. They are well trained.

The weather turned south, started raining and then pouring around lunch time. I put on another fleece, but still cold. ~4pm, back to MAI campus. Had a mug of hot tea, before heading out. Oops, couldn't start my car. Probably forgot to turn the headlight off Friday night after visiting the cave. Waited in the parking lot for rescue. A family was walking their toddler and dog here, and then a firefighter. They jumped my car, and off I went. The rest is uneventful. Overall, I learned something, and enjoyed the cooking. I really like my instructors. However, I don't think I'll come back for the other modules, despite of their good intention, and super nice staff. I like PCTA's trail skill college a lot better, because 1) all the work we did was needed, and didn't have to undo our work at the end of the class; 2) less mumbo-jumbo of high talks; 3) closer to my home; 4) didn't have to leave work so early on Friday.

Last note, I'm the only non-white all weekend long.